By Derek deLouche | Acting CEO
There has been significant progress on several key pieces of legislation in the House of Commons that could stall unless we can gain a commitment from the liberal government to move forward on them before the campaigning begins next fall for the scheduled October 21st election.
Our work with the Prime Minister’s office, the House Leader’s office, and the Justice Minster’s office led to the Government’s introduction of a bill by Canada’s Minister of Justice to amend the Criminal Code (C-84, bestiality and animal fighting) in mid-October. This bill has completed second reading and is in front of the Justice committee. This development comes just three months after Humane Canada launched national campaigns in which supporters like you from across the nation sent thousands of emails to the Prime Minister, the House Leader, the Minister of Justice and MPs to demand action on bestiality and animal fighting.
The amendments have the official support of the animal welfare industry, the veterinary industry and the agriculture industry. These are simple fixes that no one is against and will have a massive impact for animals.
Since these two animal protection issues were before the government two years ago, there have been five major Canadian cases involving bestiality and child sexual abuse.
These changes will make our communities safer for women, children and animals.
We also met with the Independent Senator Group leader’s office about Bill S-203 that promises to end whale and dolphin captivity in early October and that bill was passed by the Senate on October 23rd. It is now in the House of Commons where it is currently on second reading.
The Senate also passed a bill to amend the Food and Drug Act to End Cosmetic Testing on Animals in Canada and we are waiting for it to be introduced in the House.
These key pieces of legislation promise advances for so many animals in Canada from coast to coast to coast but we cannot rest until they have been passed and are in force. With an election just under one year away we run the risk of having them die in the House before being passed.
By Kayleigh Jooste | Officer, Resource Development
By Derek deLouche | Acting CEO
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